Employees of OK Foods at Rundu who went on strike in May this year are staging a demonstration after receiving dismissal letters on 25 September. 

The more than 100 workers were suspended from 25 May to 25 September with pay, only to be dismissed this week. 

The employees say their dismissal was unfair and now demand to be reinstated with fair compensation.

Reading the petition, NAPWU branch organizer Johannes Shikwaya stated that OK Foods’ actions violate Namibia's labour laws.

“The intimidation, unfair labour practices against 103 employees, and the disregard for their rights and Namibia's labour laws are unacceptable. We urge lawmakers to impose stricter penalties on those who mistreat workers and violate labour laws,” Shikwaya said.

Kavango OK Foods managing member Jose Mashado did not come outside to receive the petition.

NAFAU General Secretary Jacob Penda commented, “We will deliver this petition to Mr. Mashado inside his shop. He refused to meet us, but the message is clear: if these workers are not reinstated, he will face community pressure.”

Trade unions are now urging the local community to boycott the supermarket until the issue is resolved.

OK Foods in Rundu, one of the oldest shops in the town, has been in operation for about four decades. This is the first time its employees have gone on strike.